Monthly Archives: October 2004

Caught Green Day last night at the Gwinnett Arena. Qualifies as the best $40 spent recently. Only slightly less brilliant than the band was the audience. They even knew the songs of the opening bands which I’d never heard of. Man, I felt old.

Really scary were the kids stage diving and crowd surfing… it is incredible no one was seriously hurt. I’m so thankful I don’t have claim to a teenager in 2004 to worry about. I’d lose my mind.

Attended Dragon*Con this year for the first time. A college friend was involved in the original organization of the event and still participates — I ran into him at the entrance to the hotel. Not uncool. Many consider it a nerd convention and, yeah, it is that. Still there are exceptional people to meet. Besides, it never hurts to know a few nerds.

I only went to two of the of the sessions: Anne McCaffrey, one of my favorite s-f writers, and Peter Davison, favorite actor who portrayed “Doctor Who”. It was an interesting contrast between author and actor. I regret now not spending more than a day there.

Presently watching a Colin Raye concert on HDNet. Why? I’ll watch anything in high def. Truthfully some of the songs don’t entirely suck.

Raye was introducing the latest redneck anthem, “World History 101”, and made the point that “you can’t support the troops if you don’t support the cause”. How’s that? What amazes me is how certain some are in their convictions. The most important thing I ever learned(after Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle) was to always question.

Then he had the audacity to sing a John Lennon song (“I saw her standing there”). Would imagine no one caught the irony.

Listening to Bill Maher a few weeks ago, he blamed the obesity epidemic on high fructose corn syrup… I thought that might be reaching at the time. After doing research couldn’t believe I’ve never even heard this. The stuff was invented in the 70s and by the 80s used in place of “real” sugar everywhere. That was right when America started to gain weight. Research shows the body can’t break it down as easily and it also causes health problems. There is also evidence it makes you crave more food.

It also explains why Coke tastes different now than I remember it tasting growing up.